Help For Newbie Please

[mikeysea]

Hi and thanks in anticipation of what may be some dumb questions. I have done some research on the culture, ladies, and geography on Thailand but would appreciate some help on the following.

I am a wedding photographer, videographer and doco filmaker in Australia - I would like to move to Thailand and take my business with me. I am basically self employed and this is a small business that will run from home. I would appreciate anyones thoughts on how I might achieve this as far as visa,s - being able to operate a business in Thailand etc

I guess the big question in the back of my head is, - If I was to marry a Thai lady, does this make the whole process easier regarding being allowed to stay in the country full time and run a business? If I marry, do I have to apply for Thai citzenship or is that optional. Do I in fact have to apply for Thai citizenship to run this business? What red tape am I facing?? I understand there are many types of visa's and work permits, but so far I haven't been able to make much sense out of it all - any help or advice would be appreciated. I aim to take this slowly and visit the country on holidays this year just so I can sus it all out from a johnny on the spot point of view..

Thanks so much

Mike

[InterestedObserver]

1. In order to work in Thailand you need a work permit. This usually requires a non-immigrant "B" visa and a Thai company to sponsor you for the work permit.

2. If you marry a Thai lady this will help you to remain in Thailand full-time but have no effect on the work permit process.

3. Right now it appears you only qualify for a Tourist visa.

4. Thai citizenship is extremely difficult to obtain and takes years.

[garyh]

You are not required to become a Citizen and as per previous post even if you wanted to it is not easy to get. Having a Thai wife reduces some of the requirements to stay in Thailand.

It is possible for you to setup business here I don't know the full details of this.

What you really do need to consider also is what market is available for your business. Wedding photographing in Thailand is very different to how it is done in Australia, what I have seen of Thai wedding photo's would make your stomach churn. I am talking about work that was not cheap by Thai standards, lots of very white make up and poses that seem ridiculous to me.

[mikeysea]

OK thanks v much for the info guys.

The fact that I may have to be sponsored by a Thai company is a bit of a curved ball - is there any way around that??

I understand that I would have to apply for a work permit - just say I married a thai girl who owned a business. Would this make things easier - maybe she could sponsor??

What I understand so far is that If I marry a thai girl then applying for permanent residency is easier? (won't worry bout citizenship - the national anthem may take me a while to learn!)

Garyh - A photo is a photo is a photo. I don't care if mamasan has horns growing out of her head - as long as I get paid for my services, I'll shoot anything! You wern't implying that the photographer has to supply and apply the make up were you? I've looked at a bit of Thai wedding stuff and haven't come across this but understand that weddings there are steeped in tradition and ceremony. Lots of foreigners using Thailand as a wedding destination too.

I'm really just trying to work out whether I should move to Thai with business and marry or keep business here and bring Thai wife to Australia.

Thanks again

[jazzbo]

I would forget about the Visa and Work Permit implications for the moment, make a visit to Thailand and see if you have some unique qualifications and experience such that you could hook-up with one of the large hotels or wedding services who have a thriving wedding business for the Thai <> Thai; Thai <> Non-Thai; and Non-Thai <> Non-Thai wedding facilitation trade ... if you can swing that then all the legalities could readily fall into place ... Barring that, I would say you do not have much of a chance to drum up a sufficient trade in Thailand from scratch.

[Lite Beer]

Regarding Visas.

If you did have a Thai Wife you can apply for a Non Imm O Visa this gives a 90 day entry.

A Multi Entry gives unlimited entries for a year. Each entry gives a max of 90 days.

Or you can apply for annual extensions of stay if you can meet the requirements.

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

If you were to be employed or start your own company there would be other Visa options.

[CharlieH]

You really need to come here and see how it all works for yourself. Make a few trips and get a feel for how the land lies so to speak.

As for photgraphs of wedding etc, this in my experience is done in a studio AFTER the wedding. All the make-up clothes etc are all done and supplied on the day, then they pose and its done. An all-in one shop. Thats for the Official; pics they hang on the wall.

You dont need "citizenship" or "permanent reasidence" etc and even if you did want it it would take BIG bucks and YEARS to obtain,

Come and enjoy yourself and nose around awhile .

[mikeysea]

Hey thanks heaps guys - all good info

Yes I will come and enjoy myself in the land of smiles before getting to excited.

Cheers

Mike

[Richard4849]

"Sponsorship by a Thai company" doesn't necessarily mean a currently existing company.

You can establish your own company (with 51% Thai ownership), and get a work permit for it.

Add me to the list of people who are dubious about the prospects of a Western wedding photographer in Thailand. It is a highly competitive business here, very cheap, and definitely geared to local tastes. You would not recognize it from back home.

[lopburi3]

You can establish your own company (with 51% Thai ownership), and get a work permit for it.

That 51% would make it somewhat less than "your own company" in my view. That it can be a newly formed company might be a better statement. But this path would involve an extended period having to make visa runs as it would not allow extensions of stay for several years. But if married to a Thai that would open another path for extensions and reduce the cost in both funds and required workers for the company.

At any rate on visit notice all the Kodak and Fuji photo places and the displayed wedding dresses and such - they all have studios upstairs where photos are taken. Marriage is not a formal church type affair here. As for foreigners getting married here most are done as a package deal from hotels or on the beach.

[lazygourmet]

At any rate on visit notice all the Kodak and Fuji photo places and the displayed wedding dresses and such - they all have studios upstairs where photos are taken. Marriage is not a formal church type affair here. As for foreigners getting married here most are done as a package deal from hotels or on the beach.

Even Panthongtae Shinawatra used to be in that business...

[garyh]

You could make a fortune filming for tv programs such as worlds worst drivers and things like do people really eat that.

[TacoBoy]

Wedding and Photography businesses are plentiful in Thailand, and they can do a job far cheaper than you can.

It would cost you several Million Baht in guarantees and depost to even venture into a business here as a foreigner. That is even if tehy approved your business and business plan to meet the Thai regulations for doing business as a foreign company.

Forget about doing business here or working. Too much hastle.

Just come here, enjoy your holiday time, and work until you can afford to have an annual income or money in the bank to support yourself. Otherwise, you will fall into the idea that you can just live here and work a little bit to support yourself. Bad idea.